We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microfibers in Mytilus species(Mollusca, Bivalvia)from Southern California Harbors, Beaches, and Supermarkets
Summary
This study found microplastic fibers in both wild and farmed mussels from Southern California harbors, beaches, and supermarkets, with fibers present in the majority of samples. The presence of microfibers in commercially sold mussels confirms that these filter feeders are a direct route for human consumption of microplastics through everyday seafood.
Plastic microfibers are an emerging threat to terrestrial and aquatic habitats worldwide. They are equivalent in size to planktonic organisms, making them available to a range of invertebrates. Bivalve mollusks can ingest and accumulate plastics via digestion and adherence to soft tissue. We determined the frequency and characteristics of microfiber pollution from wild Mytilus californianus and farmed Mytilus edulis populations that were collected from southern California harbors, beaches, and supermarkets (n=4 per site). Mussel organic matter was dissected using 30% H2O2. After adding a saline solution to separate the fibers, the liquid was filtered by vacuum filtration. The remaining fibers were examined with a magnification of 1~8x. In this short-term survey, the abundance of microfibers by sample and by shell length showed a significant difference between the harbor and beach sites. However, there was not a significant difference between the wild and farmed mussels examined. This study revealed widespread microfiber pollution and uptake by mussels in these locations and reinforces how bivalves can be used as a bioindicator of microfiber pollution. KEYWORDS: Microplastic; Microfiber; Mytilus; Biomonitoring; Bivalvia; Seafood; Human Health
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Apulia Region (Italy)
Scientists analyzed commercially sold mussels from markets in southern Italy and found microplastics in every sample tested. On average, each mussel contained about 1.6 plastic particles, with fibers being the most common type, followed by fragments. Since mussels are eaten whole by consumers, the findings highlight a direct pathway for human exposure to microplastics through seafood.
Microplastics in mussels sampled from coastal waters and supermarkets in the United Kingdom
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in mussels from U.K. coastal waters and supermarkets and found anthropogenic debris in every sample tested. Wild mussels contained up to 2.9 debris items per gram of tissue, while supermarket mussels showed lower but still consistent contamination levels. The study confirms that microplastics are prevalent in commercially available shellfish, representing a direct pathway for human dietary exposure.
Exploring microplastics in commercial bivalve species and in bivalve aquaculture waters: Insights from the southern Pacific
Microplastics were detected in multiple commercially sold bivalve species (such as mussels and oysters) and in nearby inland and coastal waters. Because bivalves are widely eaten by humans, the findings raise direct concerns about microplastic dietary exposure through seafood consumption.
Microplastic pollution in wild and aquacultured Mediterranean mussels from the Sea of Marmara: Abundance, characteristics, and health risk estimations
Researchers compared microplastic contamination in wild and commercially farmed mussels from the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. They found microplastics in all mussel samples, with wild mussels containing somewhat different types and amounts compared to aquacultured ones, and fibers being the dominant form in both. The study estimates that regular consumption of these mussels represents a measurable pathway for human exposure to microplastics through seafood.
A versatile approach to evaluate the occurrence of microfibers in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Tyrrhenian Sea
Researchers developed a versatile analytical approach to evaluate the occurrence of microfibers in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from the Tyrrhenian Sea, finding fibrous microplastics to be the most abundant form of micro-debris in both the environment and the bivalves sampled.